Agriculture pays little attention to computer system security even though it will be an increasing threat as farms get larger, technology use increases and global actors look to disrupt food systems. That means that agriculture is well behind other important sectors of the economy in protecting its computer networks, says a cybersecurity researcher. The Agromart […] Read more
News
Inoculating farms against computer hacks
Researchers say few farmers take any steps to protect their data
Opinion: Dare to be dull
Canada’s livestock sector can learn from pandemic
At a social gathering some years ago, a friend listened to the many crazy things going on in people’s lives and he stated that we should “dare to be dull”. He meant we should focus on the important things. On a related note, I am sure you have heard the old saying “May you live […] Read more
First Rural Change Makers cohort announced
Class members will learn how to have an impact on their communities
The Rural Ontario Institute has announced the cohort for the Rural Change Makers pilot project. Eighteen people aged 19 to 29 were selected from across the province to be part of the program. The goal of the program is to grow the capacity of young adults to serve as change makers and to strengthen rural […] Read more
Wingham abattoir destroyed by fire
Green's Meat Market has for years provided meat processing for farmers serving local markets
An abattoir serving northern Huron and southern Bruce counties has been destroyed by fire, leaving area farmers with fewer meat processing options. Green’s Meat Market and Abattoir, in Wingham, had about 70 carcasses hanging for processing at the time of the fire, according to Midwestern Newspapers. A passerby noticed flames coming from the building at […] Read more
Wheat pests are still a concern
OMAFRA Field Crop Report for June 25
True armyworm (TAW) larvae are in many winter wheat and spring cereal fields across southern Ontario, thankfully not always at threshold. Some fields have populations at threshold (4-5 unparasitized larvae smaller than 2.5 cm per square foot) or above and with minimal feeding damage. Larvae sometimes choose not to do as much feeding and move […] Read more
The Royal cancelled for 2020
The Royal Agricultural Winter Fair had been scheduled for November
The Royal Agricultural Winter Fair has cancelled its 2020 event, only the second time the Royal has not been held in 100 years. The risk to the safety of exhibitors and attendees from COVID-19 eventually made the decision for the board of directors. “Over the past several months, we’ve all experienced an unprecedented disruption to […] Read more
Digital show to deliver Canada’s Outdoor Farm Show experience to farmers
Equipment, crop demonstrations and networking will continue, but will be delivered digitally
Canada’s Outdoor Farm Show has launched a new digital event to serve as a virtual meeting place for hundreds of agricultural companies and thousands of farmers. With dozens of Ontario agricultural events cancelled into the fall of 2020, Canada’s Digital Farm Show will serve as a meeting place for farmers and the sector. Why it matters: There […] Read more
Farmers tracking personal information after computer breach
Computer hackers have increased their activity during the COVID-19 pandemic
A recent computer system breach at an Ontario crop inputs company resulted in the posting for sale of private information of farmers. Parts of the Agromart Group’s computer system were breached and locked in late May by the Revil hacker group. Agromart refused to pay a ransom and the hackers then decided to auction off […] Read more
OFVGA recommending on-farm COVID-19 testing
Farmer group concerned about temporary workers moving among farms
The Ontario Fruit and Vegetable Growers’ Association (OFVGA) is recommending that all essential agri-food employees on Ontario farms get tested for COVID-19, as the virus continues to stubbornly spread on some farms. Testing workers on farm can help limit the spread of the disease, says the OFVGA. Why it matters: Recent outbreaks of COVID-19 on […] Read more
Study looks at COVID-19 and food system
The hope is that the results will help strengthen food system emergency planning
Two of Canada’s leading think tanks in agriculture and food policy are working together to try to understand the implications of and lessons from COVID-19’s effects on the Canadian food system. Why it matters: The COVID-19 crisis has shown some weaknesses in the Canadian agri-food system, although food has remained widely available. The Arrell Food […] Read more
Cyber-Savvy Farmer
